I've tried the CDs but maybe the birds in our area are vain because they
seem to use them for mirrors.
I've been tempted many times to try the snakes but having a fear of them
myself ,I'm sure I would forget and scare myself or the man of the house.
I have also used fine mesh over the espaliered pear trees but as it did not
quite reach the ground the birds went under it then up into the pears.They
were also too cunning to get caught in it .
I would not mind if they ate just one piece of fruit but no, they take one
peck out of each piece then move to the next.
Any suggestions? I've run out of ideas.

Coral E.
SE.SA.

"whiteMemphis" wrote in message
...
I've heard hanging CD's in fruit trees is a good bird deterrent, would be
interested to hear from anyone whether this is effective

"John Savage" wrote in message
om...
Here's a tip from the 2GB gardening program for gardeners with a fig
tree.

A couple of times I've heard Graham Ross (he of the Ground Force garden
makeover show on tv) say that he has not lost any figs to birds since he
started hanging rubber snakes in the tree. Had this claim come from
almost
anyone else I would be very sceptical.

I imagine you'd need quite a few snakes, and if it was me I'd move some
around under cover of darkness so the birds didn't have cause to think
the snakes might be dead.

But I have one question for Mr Ross if he reads this newsgroup: don't
you have problems with the kookaburras hunting your snakes?

To counter the predations of kookaburras I reckon you'd need to tie the
snakes on tightly with fishing line, or cable ties, or something.
--
John Savage (for email, replace "ks" with "k" and delete "n")